Friday, August 26, 2011

Of my highest concern: Paucity of information on Chile, lack of veracity

I am a daily reader of The Star. And I like ti. Today, after more than 2 months of continuous and pacific students' demands for better and accessible education for Chileans, I see one tiny Star's note that reports of looting and riots against Mr. Piñera, Chile's tycoon and President. It misses completely the reasons for these protests and the fact that Chile's education -still based on former dictator Pinochet's will and mentor of the current government- is centred on profit. As it is engraved in Pinochet's Constitution. The President and several Ministers of Education keep sustaining that in spite of Chile being a newcomer at the OECD, education must remain for profit as it is the law and the only alternative they see... Chileans cannot afford education as it is identified as the most expensive one in the world, in relation to Chileans salary. It is of poor and most segmented quality. 70% of the the population earning less thanCAD$600 monthly. Education is directly paid by 80% of the families, the worst for the OECD.
If The Star wants accurate information it should go beyond the official reports, for these have exactly the bias presented in your page A16. Last Sunday over a million people marched in Santiago and many more in the rest of the country. They supported the students -attending both university and secondary schools- for an education that is affordable, public and of quality, No violence or looting occurred... as no police was present. It has been demonstrated that looting and violence is triggered by the police, with officers disguised as "terrorists" (of note is that those are never detained). Students have parental support and social approval... more than 80% does it. President Piñera has 20%.
It would be important to get information that is accurate and respectful of a nation-wide supported movement whose objective is to move Chile into a democratic path, centred on people's welfare and not on the few billionaires that control the country. The real Chile is immensely rich... but one the most inequitable countries in the world. Changing the Constitution for a legitimate one and having a society where fundamental Human Rights are respected for all is urgent. Chile shows absolute lack of Judiciary Due Process (and I have visited many jails where we have confirmed many violations of peoples' right); torture-based verdicts against political prisoners are used and supported by the Supreme Court whether they are First Nations, students, or any opposition people that pretend to exert their right to have a say on their lives and future. Violence is already expensively provided by the police. The Star's current silence could change a lot: for the better. The good news are that you can do it.

I realise this is a long letter but, given the lack of proper information and the immensity of today's conclusions of your note, I believe this would a proper use of the principle of reply that makes journalism a real and democratic tool.